Choosing Change: De-Mystifying Plastic Surgery
There’s a lot of stigma around plastic surgery. People often think of celebrities and rich people trying to look younger or changing their bodies to match some “ideal image.”
People must understand that plastic surgery is more than just breast augmentation and Botox. Tampa plastic surgeons advise their potential clients to think long and hard about procedures before meeting with them.
In this article, we will attempt to clear up some of the stigmas about plastic surgery. What is it, what are the benefits, and who should you trust to give it to you?
Reconstructive vs. Cosmetic
The first thing you need to know about plastic surgery is that there are two main types: Reconstructive and Cosmetic. Each of these has specific functions, and different procedures fall into each category.
Reconstructive
Reconstructive surgery helps patients address physical defects and anomalies and improve general functions of the body. Reconstructive surgery can:
- Heal major scars, like from animal attacks and burn damage
- Remove tumor and repair the skin
- Fix a deviated septum in the nose
Cosmetic
Cosmetic surgery is the kind of plastic surgery that you are probably more acquainted with. It involves making a change to a part of the body that the patient is not satisfied with. Cosmetic surgery includes:
- Breast augmentation and reduction
- Removing excess fat from the body
- Shaping the nose
Pros and Cons of Plastic Surgery
Any surgery has its complications. Therefore, you must never decide to undergo these types of surgery lightly, and you must review the potential risks and rewards.
Pros of Plastic Surgery
1. Easily Accessible
With many individuals opting for plastic surgery, it has become relatively easier to find clinics or hospitals offering these services.
2. Confidence Booster
Plastic surgery is undoubtedly a great confidence booster, especially for patients who have suffered from any physical deformity. Having a fix or alteration in your appearance will automatically improve your self-esteem.
3. Physic Benefits
This is undoubtedly the most common patient goal. Procedures like liposuction will significantly improve your appearance.
4. Health and Quality of Life
In some cases, plastic surgery has yielded distinct improvements in the quality of life. For example, look at someone who had 30 pounds of loosely hanging skin after weight loss removed from their body? For such, plastic surgery will be beneficially life-changing for them.
5. Pain Is Overestimated
People are hesitant about plastic surgery due to the fear of excruciating pain. However, with the many technological advancements, these procedures have improved to reduce pain as much as possible.
6. Permanent Results
Plastic surgery often gives long-lasting solutions. However, you must take care of yourself to ensure these solutions are durable. For example, if you underwent liposuction, you must maintain a healthy lifestyle to maintain the results.
Cons of Plastic Surgery
1. Cost
It’s not a secret that plastic surgery procedures are expensive. This factor can be stressful for people who suffer from significant deformities that require extensive operations and long recovery periods.
2. Risks Involved
Plastic surgery is associated with different risks. These may range from:
- Dangers of being put under anesthesia
- Blood clots
- Nerve damage
- Infections at the incision site
- Scarring
- Death
3. Surgical Mistakes
Despite the technological advancements, mistakes may still occur during surgery. For example, during a facelift, one may get nerve damage leading to facial paralysis. These types of errors may cause your self-esteem to be lowered even further. Also, some of these mistakes are irreversible. Therefore, it’s essential to keep this in mind before surgery.
4. Recovery Time
Recovery periods can last up to 2 or 3 weeks, depending on the type of procedure. This means that you won’t be able to resume your normal day-to-day activities after the operation. Also, some people may be dependent on strong painkillers, which is a negative outcome after surgery.
5. Post-surgery Depression
At times, it can take time to adjust to the new changes made to your appearance. This does not mean that you dislike the new you, but you are not accustomed to it yet.
Weighing the Pros vs. Cons
The rewards are solely individual based. However, many patients wish they had taken the procedures sooner. Nonetheless, many of them regret having taken the surgery at all. These regrets mostly happen due to not doing enough research and not selecting the right surgeon.
You can avoid all these risks and regrets if you do your homework well to become an informed patient. Keep in mind that all these risks vary from one procedure to another, and there are common surgical risks to all types of surgery.
Plastic surgery is not something that you rush into. Take as much time as possible to learn as much as possible about the specific procedure you’re considering taking and talk it over extensively with your doctor.
Once you get all the facts you need, you can now settle on the best surgery that is right for you. If you experience severe side effects after surgery, contact your surgeon immediately.
Choosing A Surgeon
Having cosmetic or reconstructive surgery is a big deal. While researching the best procedure to settle on, don’t forget to put in the same effort in identifying the right surgeon for plastic surgery.
How do you determine the right plastic surgeon for you?
1. Get Referrals
You can get a referral list from your primary care doctor and other health care providers. Also, get recommendations from family and friends.
2. Plastic Surgeon’s credentials
Choose a plastic surgeon who is already board certified. Also, ensure that the doctor hasn’t had past medical malpractice issues.
3. Plastic Surgeon’s and Experience
Experience goes a long way in surgery, especially if the doctor has performed many procedures similar to yours. If you are considering plastic surgery, make sure to look for surgeons who have the most experience. A Dallas plastic surgeon with over 25 years of experience can answer all of your questions, and guide you through the process.
4. Gender and Communication
It’s important to feel comfortable around your plastic surgeon because you will discuss personal information openly. Therefore, having a plastic surgeon of your gender would be necessary. Get a surgeon who will consider your treatment preferences, advises you accordingly, and one who will respect your decisions.
5. The Surgeon’s Hospital
Top-rated hospitals have fewer complications and a greater survival rate. Also, the hospital’s location should be accessible enough for tests and treatments.
6. Patient Reviews
Reading patient reviews affirms your decision to undertake plastic surgery. The reviews typically reflect people’s experience of the doctor, office staff, and the whole treatment process.
7. Cost and Insurance Coverage
Your workplace insurance plan may reimburse some procedures. Therefore, you must choose a surgeon that aligns with your insurance plan to get the most coverage benefits.
Regardless of the cost of surgery, the outcome and all the other factors listed above are of utmost importance. While the risks of plastic surgery vary from one procedure to another, there are common risks in all surgical procedures. Settle for the best surgeon and follow all their pre and post-operative instructions to the letter.
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